Eaten by mosquitos, ugh. We're not quite at vampire bug season here in WI, but it's coming...

I think I agree with you in the long-term view but not in the short term. As in, I do believe that this is the last gasp of the "old order" - patriarchy, fascism, etc - collapsing. Unfortunately, in their final paroxysm of grasping for power, they are trying to destroy as much progress as they can -- ignoring climate change, fighting proxy wars, refusing to fix supply chain problems in favor of quick $$ (baby formula, for example) and of course the Supreme Court debacle.

While none of these affect me directly, they affect those I care about very much -- family, chosen family, friends. They certainly feel like their world is less secure, and there doesn't seem to be any good one coming along.

I never understand the hate for middle managers -- a good facilitator can be essential in work (spoken like a former scrum master). I would say that most jobs that are out there are not good jobs to have -- and I just wish it didn't take "collapse" for us to figure that out.